This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnancy increases adverse maternal, neonatal outcomes
Multiple adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes were found when subclinical hypothyroidism was present during pregnancy.
According to the study researchers, the use of levothyroxine therapy for preventing the outcomes remains uncertain.
Spyridoula Maraka, MD, of the Knowledge and Evaluation Research Unit in the division of endocrinology, diabetes, metabolism and nutrition at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and researchers evaluated 18 cohort studies to determine the effect of subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes and the effect of levothyroxine replacement therapy.
Spyrudoula Maraka
A higher risk for pregnancy loss (RR = 2.01; 95% CI, 1.66-2.44), placental abruption (RR = 2.14; 95% CI, 1.23-3.7), premature rupture of membranes (RR = 1.43; 95% CI, 1.04-1.95) and neonatal death (RR = 2.58; 95% CI, 1.41-4.73) was found among pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism compared with euthyroid pregnant women. No association was found for gestational diabetes, preterm labor, preterm delivery, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, placenta previa, cesarean delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, low birth weight, low Apgar score and small for gestational age.
In the study that evaluated the effect of levothyroxine therapy, there was no significant reduction in the risk for pregnancy loss, preterm delivery, gestational hypertension, low birth weight and low Apgar score.
“Subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes,” Maraka told Endocrine Today. the researchers wrote. “The value of levothyroxine therapy in preventing these outcomes remains uncertain.” – by Amber Cox
For more information:
Spyridoula Maraka, MD, can be reached at 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905; email: Maraka.Spyridoula@mayo.edu.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.